diff --git a/docs/config/config-config.md b/docs/config/config-config.md
index 80747bd46..761f1744d 100644
--- a/docs/config/config-config.md
+++ b/docs/config/config-config.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ The **config** entry (mandatory) contains global settings.
 
 Entry    | Description | Default
 -------- | ------------- | ------------
-`backup` | Create a backup of the dotfile in case it differs from the one that will be installed by dotdrop  | true
+`backup` | Create a backup of the existing destination; see [backup entry](config-config.md#backup-entry)) | true
 `banner` | Display the banner  | true
 `check_version` | Check if a new version of dotdrop is available on github | false
 `chmod_on_import` | Always add a chmod entry on newly imported dotfiles (see `--preserve-mode`) | false
@@ -212,4 +212,16 @@ profiles:
   hostname:
     dotfiles:
     - f_vimrc
-```
\ No newline at end of file
+```
+
+## backup entry
+
+When set to `true`, existing files that would be replaced
+by a dotdrop `install`, are backed up with the
+extension `.dotdropbak` if their content differ.
+
+Note:
+* directories will **not** be backed up, only files
+* when using a different `link` value than `nolink` with directories,
+  the files under the directory will **not** be backed up
+  (See [Symlinking dotfiles](config-file.md#symlinking-dotfiles)),
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/usage.md b/docs/usage.md
index 75c6d4257..50de1f512 100644
--- a/docs/usage.md
+++ b/docs/usage.md
@@ -234,6 +234,21 @@ dotdrop. It will:
 
 For more options, see the usage with `dotdrop --help`.
 
+## Uninstall dotfiles
+
+The `uninstall` command removes dotfiles installed by dotdrop
+```bash
+$ dotdrop uninstall
+```
+
+It will remove the installed dotfiles related to the provided key
+(or all dotfiles if not provided) of the selected profile.
+
+If a backup exists ([backup entry](config/config-config.md#backup-entry)),
+the file will be restored.
+
+For more options, see the usage with `dotdrop --help`.
+
 ## Concurrency
 
 The command line switch `-w`/`--workers`, if set to a value greater than one, enables the use
diff --git a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
index 932ab7543..e9ed43068 100644
--- a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
+++ b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 from dotdrop.logger import Logger
 from dotdrop.templategen import Templategen
 from dotdrop.installer import Installer
+from dotdrop.uninstaller import Uninstaller
 from dotdrop.updater import Updater
 from dotdrop.comparator import Comparator
 from dotdrop.importer import Importer
@@ -618,6 +619,47 @@ def cmd_detail(opts):
     LOG.log('')
 
 
+def cmd_uninstall(opts):
+    """uninstall"""
+    dotfiles = opts.dotfiles
+    keys = opts.uninstall_key
+
+    if keys:
+        # update only specific keys for this profile
+        dotfiles = []
+        for key in uniq_list(keys):
+            dotfile = opts.conf.get_dotfile(key)
+            if dotfile:
+                dotfiles.append(dotfile)
+
+    if not dotfiles:
+        msg = f'no dotfile to uninstall for this profile (\"{opts.profile}\")'
+        LOG.warn(msg)
+        return False
+
+    if opts.debug:
+        lfs = [k.key for k in dotfiles]
+        LOG.dbg(f'dotfiles registered for uninstall: {lfs}')
+
+    uninst = Uninstaller(base=opts.dotpath,
+                         workdir=opts.workdir,
+                         dry=opts.dry,
+                         safe=opts.safe,
+                         debug=opts.debug,
+                         backup_suffix=opts.install_backup_suffix)
+    uninstalled = 0
+    for dotf in dotfiles:
+        res, msg = uninst.uninstall(dotf.src,
+                                    dotf.dst,
+                                    dotf.link)
+        if not res:
+            LOG.err(msg)
+            continue
+        uninstalled += 1
+    LOG.log(f'\n{uninstalled} dotfile(s) uninstalled.')
+    return True
+
+
 def cmd_remove(opts):
     """remove dotfile from dotpath and from config"""
     paths = opts.remove_path
@@ -853,6 +895,12 @@ def _exec_command(opts):
             LOG.dbg(f'running cmd: {command}')
             cmd_remove(opts)
 
+        elif opts.cmd_uninstall:
+            # uninstall dotfile
+            command = 'uninstall'
+            LOG.dbg(f'running cmd: {command}')
+            cmd_uninstall(opts)
+
     except UndefinedException as exc:
         LOG.err(exc)
         ret = False
diff --git a/dotdrop/installer.py b/dotdrop/installer.py
index 775eb70c6..ec162376c 100644
--- a/dotdrop/installer.py
+++ b/dotdrop/installer.py
@@ -459,6 +459,8 @@ def _symlink(self, src, dst, actionexec=None, absolute=True):
                 return False, 'aborted'
 
             # remove symlink
+            if self.backup and not os.path.isdir(dst):
+                self._backup(dst)
             overwrite = True
             try:
                 removepath(dst)
@@ -545,6 +547,7 @@ def _copy_file(self, templater, src, dst,
         content = None
         if is_template:
             # template the file
+            self.log.dbg(f'it is a template: {src}')
             saved = templater.add_tmp_vars(self._get_tmp_file_vars(src, dst))
             try:
                 content = templater.generate(src)
@@ -666,6 +669,7 @@ def _write(self, src, dst, content=None,
 
         if os.path.lexists(dst):
             # file/symlink exists
+            self.log.dbg(f'file already exists on filesystem: {dst}')
             try:
                 os.stat(dst)
             except OSError as exc:
@@ -691,6 +695,8 @@ def _write(self, src, dst, content=None,
 
             if self.backup:
                 self._backup(dst)
+        else:
+            self.log.dbg(f'file does not exist on filesystem: {dst}')
 
         # create hierarchy
         base = os.path.dirname(dst)
diff --git a/dotdrop/options.py b/dotdrop/options.py
index 2ea823146..113b3429d 100644
--- a/dotdrop/options.py
+++ b/dotdrop/options.py
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@
   dotdrop update    [-VbfdkPz]   [-c <path>] [-p <profile>]
                                  [-w <nb>] [-i <pattern>...] [<path>...]
   dotdrop remove    [-Vbfdk]     [-c <path>] [-p <profile>] [<path>...]
+  dotdrop uninstall [-Vbfd]      [-c <path>] [-p <profile>] [<key>...]
   dotdrop files     [-VbTG]      [-c <path>] [-p <profile>]
   dotdrop detail    [-Vb]        [-c <path>] [-p <profile>] [<key>...]
   dotdrop profiles  [-VbG]       [-c <path>]
@@ -340,6 +341,10 @@ def _apply_args_remove(self):
         self.remove_path = self.args['<path>']
         self.remove_iskey = self.args['--key']
 
+    def _apply_args_uninstall(self):
+        """uninstall specifics"""
+        self.uninstall_key = self.args['<key>']
+
     def _apply_args_detail(self):
         """detail specifics"""
         self.detail_keys = self.args['<key>']
@@ -355,6 +360,7 @@ def _apply_args(self):
         self.cmd_update = self.args['update']
         self.cmd_detail = self.args['detail']
         self.cmd_remove = self.args['remove']
+        self.cmd_uninstall = self.args['uninstall']
 
         # adapt attributes based on arguments
         self.safe = not self.args['--force']
@@ -403,6 +409,9 @@ def _apply_args(self):
         # "remove" specifics
         self._apply_args_remove()
 
+        # "uninstall" specifics
+        self._apply_args_uninstall()
+
     def _fill_attr(self):
         """create attributes from conf"""
         # defined variables
diff --git a/dotdrop/uninstaller.py b/dotdrop/uninstaller.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e6c3c5d0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dotdrop/uninstaller.py
@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+"""
+author: deadc0de6 (https://github.com/deadc0de6)
+Copyright (c) 2023, deadc0de6
+
+handle the un-installation of dotfiles
+"""
+
+import os
+from dotdrop.logger import Logger
+from dotdrop.utils import removepath
+
+
+class Uninstaller:
+    """dotfile uninstaller"""
+
+    def __init__(self, base='.', workdir='~/.config/dotdrop',
+                 dry=False, safe=True, debug=False,
+                 backup_suffix='.dotdropbak'):
+        """
+        @base: directory path where to search for templates
+        @workdir: where to install template before symlinking
+        @dry: just simulate
+        @debug: enable debug
+        @backup_suffix: suffix for dotfile backup file
+        @safe: ask for any action
+        """
+        base = os.path.expanduser(base)
+        base = os.path.normpath(base)
+        self.base = base
+        workdir = os.path.expanduser(workdir)
+        workdir = os.path.normpath(workdir)
+        self.workdir = workdir
+        self.dry = dry
+        self.safe = safe
+        self.debug = debug
+        self.backup_suffix = backup_suffix
+        self.log = Logger(debug=self.debug)
+
+    def uninstall(self, src, dst, linktype):
+        """
+        uninstall dst
+        @src: dotfile source path in dotpath
+        @dst: dotfile destination path in the FS
+        @linktype: linktypes.LinkTypes
+
+        return
+        - True, None        : success
+        - False, error_msg  : error
+        """
+        if not src or not dst:
+            self.log.dbg(f'cannot uninstall empty {src} or {dst}')
+            return True, None
+
+        # ensure exists
+        path = os.path.expanduser(dst)
+        path = os.path.normpath(path)
+        path = path.rstrip(os.sep)
+
+        if not os.path.isfile(path) and not os.path.isdir(path):
+            msg = f'cannot uninstall special file {path}'
+            return False, msg
+
+        if not os.path.exists(path):
+            self.log.dbg(f'cannot uninstall non existing {path}')
+            return True, None
+
+        msg = f'uninstalling \"{path}\" (link: {linktype})'
+        self.log.dbg(msg)
+        ret, msg = self._remove(path)
+        if ret:
+            if not self.dry:
+                self.log.sub(f'uninstall {dst}')
+        return ret, msg
+
+    def _descend(self, dirpath):
+        ret = True
+        self.log.dbg(f'recursively uninstall {dirpath}')
+        for sub in os.listdir(dirpath):
+            subpath = os.path.join(dirpath, sub)
+            if os.path.isdir(subpath):
+                self.log.dbg(f'under {dirpath} uninstall dir {subpath}')
+                self._descend(subpath)
+            else:
+                self.log.dbg(f'under {dirpath} uninstall file {subpath}')
+                subret, _ = self._remove(subpath)
+                if not subret:
+                    ret = False
+
+        if not os.listdir(dirpath):
+            # empty
+            self.log.dbg(f'remove empty dir {dirpath}')
+            if self.dry:
+                self.log.dry(f'would \"rm -r {dirpath}\"')
+                return True, ''
+            return self._remove_path(dirpath)
+        self.log.dbg(f'not removing non-empty dir {dirpath}')
+        return ret, ''
+
+    def _remove_path(self, path):
+        """remove a file"""
+        try:
+            removepath(path, self.log)
+        except OSError as exc:
+            err = f'removing \"{path}\" failed: {exc}'
+            return False, err
+        return True, ''
+
+    def _remove(self, path):
+        """remove path"""
+        self.log.dbg(f'handling uninstall of {path}')
+        if path.endswith(self.backup_suffix):
+            self.log.dbg(f'skip {path} ignored')
+            return True, ''
+        backup = f'{path}{self.backup_suffix}'
+        if os.path.exists(backup):
+            self.log.dbg(f'backup exists for {path}: {backup}')
+            return self._replace(path, backup)
+        self.log.dbg(f'no backup file for {path}')
+
+        if os.path.isdir(path):
+            self.log.dbg(f'{path} is a directory')
+            return self._descend(path)
+
+        if self.dry:
+            self.log.dry(f'would \"rm {path}\"')
+            return True, ''
+
+        msg = f'Remove {path}?'
+        if self.safe and not self.log.ask(msg):
+            return False, 'user refused'
+        self.log.dbg(f'removing {path}')
+        return self._remove_path(path)
+
+    def _replace(self, path, backup):
+        """replace path by backup"""
+        if self.dry:
+            self.log.dry(f'would \"mv {backup} {path}\"')
+            return True, ''
+
+        msg = f'Restore {path} from {backup}?'
+        if self.safe and not self.log.ask(msg):
+            return False, 'user refused'
+
+        try:
+            self.log.dbg(f'mv {backup} {path}')
+            os.replace(backup, path)
+        except OSError as exc:
+            err = f'replacing \"{path}\" by \"{backup}\" failed: {exc}'
+            return False, err
+        return True, ''
diff --git a/dotdrop/utils.py b/dotdrop/utils.py
index 28e817eeb..ba97d6552 100644
--- a/dotdrop/utils.py
+++ b/dotdrop/utils.py
@@ -175,6 +175,8 @@ def removepath(path, logger=None):
             return
         LOG.err(err)
         raise OSError(err)
+    if logger:
+        logger.dbg(f'removing {path}')
     try:
         if os.path.islink(path) or os.path.isfile(path):
             os.unlink(path)
diff --git a/scripts/check-syntax.sh b/scripts/check-syntax.sh
index 63743d8ed..99cfca8ad 100755
--- a/scripts/check-syntax.sh
+++ b/scripts/check-syntax.sh
@@ -38,10 +38,12 @@ pyflakes --version
 # checking for TODO/FIXME
 echo "--------------------------------------"
 echo "checking for TODO/FIXME"
-grep -rv 'TODO\|FIXME' dotdrop/ >/dev/null 2>&1
-grep -rv 'TODO\|FIXME' tests/ >/dev/null 2>&1
-grep -rv 'TODO\|FIXME' tests-ng/ >/dev/null 2>&1
-grep -rv 'TODO\|FIXME' scripts/ >/dev/null 2>&1
+set +e
+grep -r 'TODO\|FIXME' dotdrop/ && exit 1
+grep -r 'TODO\|FIXME' tests/ && exit 1
+grep -r 'TODO\|FIXME' tests-ng/ && exit 1
+#grep -r 'TODO\|FIXME' scripts/ && exit 1
+set -e
 
 # PEP8 tests
 # W503: Line break occurred before a binary operator
diff --git a/scripts/check_links.py b/scripts/check_links.py
index 85e2eed4c..4ba0ec3fc 100755
--- a/scripts/check_links.py
+++ b/scripts/check_links.py
@@ -30,7 +30,10 @@
     302,
 ]
 IGNORES = [
-  'badgen.net',
+    'badgen.net',
+]
+OK_WHEN_FORBIDDEN = [
+    'linux.die.net'
 ]
 IGNORE_GENERIC = []
 USER_AGENT = (
@@ -103,6 +106,11 @@ def check_links(urls):
         # pylint: disable=W0703
         except Exception:
             ret = 404
+        if ret == 403 and hostname in OK_WHEN_FORBIDDEN:
+            msg = f'    [{GREEN}OK-although-{ret}{RESET}]'
+            msg += f' {MAGENTA}{url}{RESET}'
+            print(msg)
+            continue
         if ret not in VALID_RET:
             msg = (
                 f'    {YELLOW}[WARN]{RESET} HEAD {url} returned {ret}'
diff --git a/tests-ng/actions-pre.sh b/tests-ng/actions-pre.sh
index 8a3cf1a19..ab1e34cb3 100755
--- a/tests-ng/actions-pre.sh
+++ b/tests-ng/actions-pre.sh
@@ -30,7 +30,10 @@ echo -e "$(tput setaf 6)==> RUNNING $(basename "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}") <==$(tput sg
 # $2 path
 grep_or_fail()
 {
-  grep "${1}" "${2}" >/dev/null 2>&1 || (echo "pattern not found in ${2}" && exit 1)
+  if ! grep "${1}" "${2}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo "pattern not found in ${2}"
+    exit 1
+  fi
 }
 
 # the action temp
diff --git a/tests-ng/backup.sh b/tests-ng/backup.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..ae6a58ae5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-ng/backup.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,248 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# author: deadc0de6 (https://github.com/deadc0de6)
+# Copyright (c) 2023, deadc0de6
+#
+# test for backups
+# returns 1 in case of error
+#
+
+## start-cookie
+set -euo errtrace pipefail
+cur=$(cd "$(dirname "${0}")" && pwd)
+ddpath="${cur}/../"
+PPATH="{PYTHONPATH:-}"
+export PYTHONPATH="${ddpath}:${PPATH}"
+altbin="python3 -m dotdrop.dotdrop"
+if hash coverage 2>/dev/null; then
+  mkdir -p coverages/
+  altbin="coverage run -p --data-file coverages/coverage --source=dotdrop -m dotdrop.dotdrop"
+fi
+bin="${DT_BIN:-${altbin}}"
+# shellcheck source=tests-ng/helpers
+source "${cur}"/helpers
+echo -e "$(tput setaf 6)==> RUNNING $(basename "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}") <==$(tput sgr0)"
+## end-cookie
+
+################################################################
+# this is the test
+################################################################
+# $1 pattern
+# $2 path
+grep_or_fail()
+{
+  if ! grep "${1}" "${2}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo "pattern \"${1}\" not found in ${2}"
+    exit 1
+  fi
+}
+
+# the dotfile source
+tmps=$(mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests-dotpath' || mktemp -d)
+mkdir -p "${tmps}"/dotfiles
+# the dotfile destination
+tmpd=$(mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests-dst' || mktemp -d)
+tmpw=$(mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-workdir' || mktemp -d)
+
+clear_on_exit "${tmps}"
+clear_on_exit "${tmpd}"
+clear_on_exit "${tmpw}"
+
+clear_dotpath()
+{
+  rm -rf "${tmps:?}"/dotfiles/*
+}
+
+create_dotpath()
+{
+  # create the dotfiles in dotpath
+  echo "modified" > "${tmps}"/dotfiles/file
+  echo "{{@@ profile @@}}" > "${tmps}"/dotfiles/template
+  mkdir -p "${tmps}"/dotfiles/dir
+  echo "modified" > "${tmps}"/dotfiles/dir/sub
+  echo "{{@@ profile @@}}" > "${tmps}"/dotfiles/dir/template
+  mkdir -p "${tmps}"/dotfiles/tree
+  echo "modified" > "${tmps}"/dotfiles/tree/file
+  echo "{{@@ profile @@}}" > "${tmps}"/dotfiles/tree/template
+  mkdir -p "${tmps}"/dotfiles/tree/sub
+  echo "modified" > "${tmps}"/dotfiles/tree/sub/file
+  echo "{{@@ profile @@}}" > "${tmps}"/dotfiles/tree/sub/template
+}
+
+clear_fs()
+{
+  rm -rf "${tmpd:?}"/*
+}
+
+create_fs()
+{
+  # create the existing dotfiles in filesystem
+  echo "original" > "${tmpd}"/file
+  echo "original" > "${tmpd}"/template
+  mkdir -p "${tmpd}"/dir
+  echo "original" > "${tmpd}"/dir/sub
+  echo "original" > "${tmpd}"/dir/template
+  mkdir -p "${tmpd}"/tree
+  echo "original" > "${tmpd}"/tree/file
+  echo "original" > "${tmpd}"/tree/template
+  mkdir -p "${tmpd}"/tree/sub
+  echo "original" > "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/file
+  echo "original" > "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/template
+}
+
+# create the config file
+cfg="${tmps}/config.yaml"
+
+# $1: linktype
+create_config()
+{
+  link_default="${1}"
+  link_file="${1}"
+  link_dir="${1}"
+  if [ "${link_default}" = "link_children" ]; then
+    link_file="nolink"
+  fi
+  cat > "${cfg}" << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  link_dotfile_default: ${link_default}
+  workdir: ${tmpw}
+dotfiles:
+  f_file:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/file
+    src: file
+    link: ${link_file}
+  f_template:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/template
+    src: template
+    link: ${link_file}
+  d_dir:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/dir
+    src: dir
+    link: ${link_dir}
+  d_tree:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/tree
+    src: tree
+    link: ${link_dir}
+profiles:
+  p1:
+    dotfiles:
+    - f_file
+    - f_template
+    - d_dir
+    - d_tree
+_EOF
+  #cat ${cfg}
+}
+
+# install nolink
+pre="link:nolink"
+create_config "nolink"
+clear_dotpath
+clear_fs
+create_dotpath
+create_fs
+cd "${ddpath}" | ${bin} install -f -c "${cfg}" -p p1 --verbose
+
+# checks
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/file.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} file backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/template.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} template backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/dir/sub.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} dir sub backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/dir/template.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} dir template backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/tree/file.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} tree file backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/tree/template.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} tree template backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/file.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} tree sub file backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/template.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} tree sub template backup not found" && exit 1
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/file.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/template.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/dir/sub.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/dir/template.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/tree/file.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/tree/template.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/file.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/template.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/template
+grep_or_fail modified "${tmpd}"/dir/sub
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/dir/template
+grep_or_fail modified "${tmpd}"/tree/file
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/tree/template
+grep_or_fail modified "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/file
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/template
+
+# install relative
+pre="link:relative"
+create_config "relative"
+clear_dotpath
+clear_fs
+create_dotpath
+create_fs
+cd "${ddpath}" | ${bin} install -f -c "${cfg}" -p p1 --verbose
+
+# checks
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/file.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} file backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/template.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} template backup not found" && exit 1
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/file.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/template.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/template
+grep_or_fail modified "${tmpd}"/dir/sub
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/dir/template
+grep_or_fail modified "${tmpd}"/tree/file
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/tree/template
+grep_or_fail modified "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/file
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/template
+
+# install absolute
+pre="link:absolute"
+create_config "absolute"
+clear_dotpath
+clear_fs
+create_dotpath
+create_fs
+cd "${ddpath}" | ${bin} install -f -c "${cfg}" -p p1 --verbose
+
+# checks
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/file.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} file backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/template.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} template backup not found" && exit 1
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/file.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/template.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/template
+grep_or_fail modified "${tmpd}"/dir/sub
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/dir/template
+grep_or_fail modified "${tmpd}"/tree/file
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/tree/template
+grep_or_fail modified "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/file
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/template
+
+# install link_children
+pre="link:link_children"
+create_config "link_children"
+clear_dotpath
+clear_fs
+create_dotpath
+create_fs
+cd "${ddpath}" | ${bin} install -f -c "${cfg}" -p p1 --verbose
+
+# checks
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/file.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} file backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/template.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} template backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/dir/sub.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} dir sub backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/dir/template.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} dir template backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/tree/file.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} tree file backup not found" && exit 1
+[ ! -e "${tmpd}"/tree/template.dotdropbak ] && echo "${pre} tree template backup not found" && exit 1
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/file.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/template.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/dir/sub.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/dir/template.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/tree/file.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail original "${tmpd}"/tree/template.dotdropbak
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/template
+grep_or_fail modified "${tmpd}"/dir/sub
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/dir/template
+grep_or_fail modified "${tmpd}"/tree/file
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/tree/template
+grep_or_fail modified "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/file
+grep_or_fail p1 "${tmpd}"/tree/sub/template
+
+echo "OK"
+exit 0
diff --git a/tests-ng/helpers b/tests-ng/helpers
index c7180dabd..de35ca0d1 100644
--- a/tests-ng/helpers
+++ b/tests-ng/helpers
@@ -6,7 +6,10 @@
 #
 # for i in *.sh; do ./$i >/dev/null 2>&1; find /tmp/ -maxdepth 1 -type f -iname 'tmp*' >> /tmp/$i.log; find /tmp/ -maxdepth 1 -type d -iname 'tmp.*-dotdrop-tests' >> /tmp/$i.log; find /tmp/ -maxdepth 1 -type d  -iname 'dotdrop-*' >> /tmp/$i.log; wc -l /tmp/$i.log; [ "`wc -l /tmp/$i.log | awk '{print $1}'`" -gt "0" ] && break; done
 
-declare -a to_be_cleared
+set -euo errtrace pipefail
+
+#declare -a to_be_cleared
+to_be_cleared=()
 
 # add a file/directory to be cleared
 # on exit
@@ -109,7 +112,8 @@ fi
 # workdir tricks
 # when tests are called without using the
 # top level tests.sh script which sets the workdir
-if [ -z "${DOTDROP_WORKDIR}" ]; then
+DD_WORKDIR=${DOTDROP_WORKDIR:-}
+if [ -z "${DD_WORKDIR}" ]; then
   _workdir="/tmp/dotdrop-test-workdir"
   export DOTDROP_WORKDIR="${_workdir}"
   clear_on_exit "${_workdir}"
diff --git a/tests-ng/uninstall.sh b/tests-ng/uninstall.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..67e74392d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-ng/uninstall.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,303 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# author: deadc0de6 (https://github.com/deadc0de6)
+# Copyright (c) 2023, deadc0de6
+#
+# test uninstall (no symlink)
+# returns 1 in case of error
+#
+
+## start-cookie
+set -euo errtrace pipefail
+cur=$(cd "$(dirname "${0}")" && pwd)
+ddpath="${cur}/../"
+PPATH="{PYTHONPATH:-}"
+export PYTHONPATH="${ddpath}:${PPATH}"
+altbin="python3 -m dotdrop.dotdrop"
+if hash coverage 2>/dev/null; then
+  mkdir -p coverages/
+  altbin="coverage run -p --data-file coverages/coverage --source=dotdrop -m dotdrop.dotdrop"
+fi
+bin="${DT_BIN:-${altbin}}"
+# shellcheck source=tests-ng/helpers
+source "${cur}"/helpers
+echo -e "$(tput setaf 6)==> RUNNING $(basename "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}") <==$(tput sgr0)"
+## end-cookie
+
+################################################################
+# this is the test
+################################################################
+# $1 pattern
+# $2 path
+grep_or_fail()
+{
+  if ! grep "${1}" "${2}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo "${PRE} pattern \"${1}\" not found in ${2}"
+    exit 1
+  fi
+}
+
+# $1: basedir
+# $2: content
+create_hierarchy()
+{
+  echo "${2}" > "${1}"/x
+  mkdir -p "${1}"/y
+  echo "${2}" > "${1}"/y/file
+  mkdir -p "${1}"/y/subdir
+  echo "${2}" > "${1}"/y/subdir/subfile
+  echo "profile: ${PRO_TEMPL}" > "${1}"/t
+  mkdir -p "${1}"/z
+  echo "profile t1: ${PRO_TEMPL}" > "${1}"/z/t1
+  echo "profile t2: ${PRO_TEMPL}" > "${1}"/z/t2
+  echo "${2}" > "${1}"/z/file
+  echo "trans:${PRO_TEMPL}" > "${1}"/trans
+}
+
+# $1: basedir
+clean_hierarchy()
+{
+  rm -rf "${1:?}"/*
+}
+
+uninstall_with_link()
+{
+  set -e
+
+  LINK_TYPE="${DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE:-nolink}"
+  PRE="[link:${LINK_TYPE}] ERROR"
+  PRO_TEMPL="{{@@ profile @@}}"
+  DT_ARG="--verbose"
+
+  # dotdrop directory
+  basedir=$(mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests' || mktemp -d)
+  mkdir -p "${basedir}"/dotfiles
+  echo "[+] dotdrop dir: ${basedir}"
+  echo "[+] dotpath dir: ${basedir}/dotfiles"
+  tmpd=$(mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests' || mktemp -d)
+  tmpw=$(mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-workdir' || mktemp -d)
+
+  clear_on_exit "${basedir}/dotfiles"
+  clear_on_exit "${tmpd}"
+  clear_on_exit "${tmpw}"
+
+  file_link="${LINK_TYPE}"
+  dir_link="${LINK_TYPE}"
+  if [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "link_children" ]; then
+    file_link="absolute"
+  fi
+
+  # create the config file
+  cfg="${basedir}/config.yaml"
+  cat > "${cfg}" << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  link_dotfile_default: ${LINK_TYPE}
+  workdir: ${tmpw}
+dotfiles:
+  f_x:
+    src: x
+    dst: ${tmpd}/x
+    link: ${file_link}
+  d_y:
+    src: y
+    dst: ${tmpd}/y
+    link: ${dir_link}
+  f_t:
+    src: t
+    dst: ${tmpd}/t
+    link: ${file_link}
+  d_z:
+    src: z
+    dst: ${tmpd}/z
+    link: ${dir_link}
+  f_trans:
+    src: trans
+    dst: ${tmpd}/trans
+    link: ${file_link}
+profiles:
+  p1:
+    dotfiles:
+    - f_x
+    - d_y
+    - f_t
+    - d_z
+    - f_trans
+_EOF
+
+  #########################
+  ## no original
+  #########################
+
+  create_hierarchy "${basedir}/dotfiles" "modified"
+
+  # install
+  echo "[+] install (1)"
+  ( \
+    cd "${ddpath}" && ${bin} install -c "${cfg}" -f -p p1 | grep '^4 dotfile(s) installed.$' \
+  )
+
+  # tests
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/x ] && echo "${PRE} f_x not installed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/y/file ] && echo "${PRE} d_y not installed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/y/subdir/subfile ] && echo "${PRE} d_y not installed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/t ] && echo "${PRE} f_t not installed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/z/t1 ] && echo "${PRE} d_z t1 not installed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/z/t2 ] && echo "${PRE} d_z t2 not installed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/z/file ] && echo "${PRE} d_z file not installed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/trans ] && echo "${PRE} f_trans file not installed" && exit 1
+  grep_or_fail 'modified' "${tmpd}"/x
+  grep_or_fail 'modified' "${tmpd}"/y/file
+  grep_or_fail 'profile: p1' "${tmpd}"/t
+  grep_or_fail 'profile t1: p1' "${tmpd}"/z/t1
+  grep_or_fail 'profile t2: p1' "${tmpd}"/z/t2
+  grep_or_fail 'modified' "${tmpd}"/z/file
+  grep_or_fail 'trans:p1' "${tmpd}"/trans
+
+  # uninstall
+  echo "[+] uninstall (1)"
+  ( \
+    cd "${ddpath}" && ${bin} uninstall -c "${cfg}" -f -p p1 "${DT_ARG}" \
+  )
+  [ "$?" != "0" ] && exit 1
+
+  # tests
+  [ ! -d "${basedir}"/dotfiles ] && echo "${PRE} dotpath removed" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/x ] && echo "${PRE} f_x not uninstalled" && exit 1
+  [ -d "${tmpd}"/y ] && echo "${PRE} d_y dir not uninstalled" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/y/file ] && echo "${PRE} d_y file not uninstalled" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/y/subdir/subfile ] && echo "${PRE} d_y subfile not uninstalled" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/t ] && echo "${PRE} f_t not uninstalled" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/z/t1 ] && echo "${PRE} d_z subfile t1 not uninstalled" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/z/t2 ] && echo "${PRE} d_z subfile t2 not uninstalled" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/z/file ] && echo "${PRE} d_z subfile file not uninstalled" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/trans ] && echo "${PRE} f_trans file not uninstalled" && exit 1
+
+  # test workdir is empty
+  if [ -n "$(ls -A "${tmpw}")" ]; then
+    echo "${PRE} workdir (1) is not empty"
+    echo "---"
+    ls -A "${tmpw}"
+    echo "---"
+    exit 1
+  fi
+
+  #########################
+  ## with original
+  #########################
+  # clean
+  clean_hierarchy "${tmpd}"
+  clean_hierarchy "${basedir}"/dotfiles
+
+  # recreate
+  create_hierarchy "${basedir}"/dotfiles "modified"
+  create_hierarchy "${tmpd}" "original"
+
+  # install
+  echo "[+] install (2)"
+  cd "${ddpath}" | ${bin} install -c "${cfg}" -f -p p1 | grep '^4 dotfile(s) installed.$'
+
+  # tests
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/x ] && echo "${PRE} f_x not installed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/x.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} f_x backup not created" && exit 1
+  [ ! -d "${tmpd}"/y ] && echo "${PRE} d_y not installed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/y/file ] && echo "${PRE} d_y file not installed" && exit 1
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/y/file.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} d_y backup file not created" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/y/subdir/subfile ] && echo "${PRE} d_y subfile not installed" && exit 1
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/y/subdir/subfile.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} d_y subfile backup not created" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/t ] && echo "${PRE} f_t not installed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/t.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} f_t backup not created" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/z/t1 ] && echo "${PRE} d_z t1 not installed" && exit 1
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/z/t1.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} d_z t1 backup not created" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/z/t2 ] && echo "${PRE} d_z t2 not installed" && exit 1
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/z/t2.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} d_z t2 backup not created" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/z/file ] && echo "${PRE} d_z file not installed" && exit 1
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/z/file.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} d_z backup file not created" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/trans ] && echo "${PRE} f_trans file not installed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/trans.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} f_trans backup file not created" && exit 1
+  grep_or_fail 'modified' "${tmpd}"/x
+  grep_or_fail 'modified' "${tmpd}"/y/file
+  grep_or_fail 'profile: p1' "${tmpd}"/t
+  grep_or_fail 'profile t1: p1' "${tmpd}"/z/t1
+  grep_or_fail 'profile t2: p1' "${tmpd}"/z/t2
+  grep_or_fail 'modified' "${tmpd}"/z/file
+  grep_or_fail 'trans:p1' "${tmpd}"/trans
+
+  # uninstall
+  echo "[+] uninstall (2)"
+  ( \
+    cd "${ddpath}" && ${bin} uninstall -c "${cfg}" -f -p p1 "${DT_ARG}" \
+  )
+  [ "$?" != "0" ] && exit 1
+
+  # tests
+  [ ! -d "${basedir}"/dotfiles ] && echo "${PRE} dotpath removed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/x ] && echo "${PRE} f_x backup not restored" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/x.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} f_x backup not removed" && exit 1
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && [ ! -d "${tmpd}"/y ] && echo "${PRE} d_y backup not restored" && exit 1
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/y/file ] && echo "${PRE} d_y file backup not restored" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/y/file.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} d_y backup not removed" && exit 1
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/y/subdir/subfile ] && echo "${PRE} d_y sub backup not restored" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/y/subdir/subfile.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} d_y sub backup not removed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/t ] && echo "${PRE} f_t not restored" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/t.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} f_t backup not removed" && exit 1
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/z/t1 ] && echo "${PRE} d_z t1 not restore" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/z/t1.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} d_z t1 backup not removed" && exit 1
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/z/t2 ] && echo "${PRE} d_z t2 not restored" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/z/t2.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} d_z t2 backup not removed" && exit 1
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/z/file ] && echo "${PRE} d_z file not restored" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/z/file.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} d_z file backup not removed" && exit 1
+  [ ! -e "${tmpd}"/trans ] && echo "${PRE} f_trans backup not restored" && exit 1
+  [ -e "${tmpd}"/trans.dotdropbak ] && echo "${PRE} f_trans backup not removed" && exit 1
+
+  grep_or_fail 'original' "${tmpd}"/x
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && grep_or_fail 'original' "${tmpd}"/y/file
+  grep_or_fail "profile: ${PRO_TEMPL}" "${tmpd}/t"
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && grep_or_fail "profile t1: ${PRO_TEMPL}" "${tmpd}/z/t1"
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && grep_or_fail "profile t2: ${PRO_TEMPL}" "${tmpd}/z/t2"
+  [ "${LINK_TYPE}" = "nolink" ] && grep_or_fail 'original' "${tmpd}"/z/file
+  grep_or_fail "trans:${PRO_TEMPL}" "${tmpd}"/trans
+
+  echo "testing workdir..."
+
+  # test workdir is empty
+  if [ -n "$(ls -A "${tmpw}")" ]; then
+    echo "${PRE} workdir (2) - ${tmpw} - is not empty"
+    ls -r "${tmpw}"
+    exit 1
+  fi
+
+  echo "${PRE} done OK"
+}
+
+export DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_DDPATH="${ddpath}"
+export DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_BIN="${bin}"
+export DOTDROP_TEST_NG_CUR="${cur}"
+
+export DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE="nolink"
+# shellcheck source=uninstall_
+echo "[+] testing uninstall link:${DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE}..."
+if ! uninstall_with_link; then exit 1; fi
+echo "[+] uninstall link:${DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE} OK"
+
+export DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE="absolute"
+# shellcheck source=uninstall_
+echo "[+] testing uninstall link:${DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE}..."
+if ! uninstall_with_link; then exit 1; fi
+echo "[+] uninstall link:${DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE} OK"
+
+export DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE="relative"
+# shellcheck source=uninstall_
+echo "[+] testing uninstall link:${DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE}..."
+if ! uninstall_with_link; then exit 1; fi
+echo "[+] uninstall link:${DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE} OK"
+
+export DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE="link_children"
+# shellcheck source=uninstall_
+echo "[+] testing uninstall link:${DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE}..."
+if ! uninstall_with_link; then exit 1; fi
+echo "[+] uninstall link:${DOTDROP_TEST_NG_UNINSTALL_LINK_TYPE} OK"
+
+echo "OK"
+exit 0
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/helpers.py b/tests/helpers.py
index ac58e7f98..97197c4b4 100644
--- a/tests/helpers.py
+++ b/tests/helpers.py
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ def _fake_args():
     args['profiles'] = False
     args['files'] = False
     args['install'] = False
+    args['uninstall'] = False
     args['compare'] = False
     args['import'] = False
     args['update'] = False